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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: 76StepSd on June 09, 2011, 09:04:38 pm

Title: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 76StepSd on June 09, 2011, 09:04:38 pm

I was driving my 76 Stepside C10 around the yard just move it about after being parked for sometime. I notice it doesnt turn that sharp.....i know its a truck but just seems like it should turn sharper than it does. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? As I mentioned i am new to trucks....almost all of my experiences is with autos. Any help will be greatly appreciated. :(

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 1979C20 on June 10, 2011, 02:30:44 pm

My boat, i mean truck, has the steering of a land yacht. I can barely make a 3 lane u-turn. Mine is a long bed though.

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 76StepSd on June 11, 2011, 09:22:35 am

I talked to the previous owner and he said its been like that for sometime....i think he thought it was suppose to be that way. Prob was like that from the person he got it from. Also discovered a crack on the frame near where the steering box mounts so yes there is some flexing as described in another post.....will remove the box and have the crack welded.....I dont know if it was hit or just broke over time.....the beam between the to from portions of the frame well...i discovered a loose bolt and the rivet broken near the steering box side. Plan to install a bolt where the rivet was and tighten the loose bolt before i remove the steering box to facilitate welding.
 I think someone had looked at it and said "the heck with it" some years ago.

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: jt1200r on June 13, 2011, 07:33:38 am

i just welded my cracks around the steering box. what a difference. turns tighter and when you turn the wheel it goes that way with no play.

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 76StepSd on June 13, 2011, 10:20:51 am

And your steering box was ok as well?

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: slammed79 on June 13, 2011, 01:01:46 pm

I had the same cracks on my 74 when I got it, and the steering box was good. I unbolted the box and moved it out of the way then welded the cracks. It'd been like that for a while and the front crossmember was moving too, so that got welded back into place as well, now I can cut U turns without having to three point. Before I fixed that issue I had to three point turn in the culdesac I lived in...

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 76StepSd on June 13, 2011, 07:06:37 pm

Well thats good news...mine is getting welded wednesday morning so i hope the steering gets back to normal but....but...i did have my dad turn the steering wheel while i was under the the truck to see how long it took before everything else started turning .....i will have to say it was at least a 1/4 of a turn before anything started moving so maybe its both steering box and the cracked frame. But will wait til after the welding is complete before making a gear box determination.  The tie rods feel pretty good but still may have to replace due to the grease boots being blown out from dry rot...this truck is from Vegas and sat there a couple years without being started or moved. So a lot of rubber components are dry rotted.
 I am talking "A" arm bushings will have to eventually be replaced. Cab mount bushings...same thing. The shock mount...well the shocks will prob need to be replaced even though they dont feel to bad when i drove the truck around the yard but.......the rubber on the shock at the upper mount in the rear....well the rubber is peeling out due to being dry rotted....lol.

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: big bear on June 13, 2011, 10:11:10 pm

you will have that though. nothing but a lil time and money. 

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 76StepSd on June 14, 2011, 09:56:28 am

the time i dont mind...the money.....LOL.

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: big bear on June 14, 2011, 11:26:42 am

haha  say no more man lol   

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 76StepSd on June 17, 2011, 06:47:25 pm

Got truck back today from the weld shop.....steers alot better than it did. Not squirrely like it was. Still i believe it should turn sharper than it does....will post pics soon of what it looks like maxed out at full right n full left turn.

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 76StepSd on June 25, 2011, 07:33:57 pm

Here are a few pics of the wheels and how they look turned lock to lock. Does anyone think these wheels should be turned more? Notice it turns sharper to the right.




FULL  LEFT
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/zx12ryder/76%20Stepside/fullleft-1.jpg)

RIGHT
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/zx12ryder/76%20Stepside/fullright.jpg)

LEFT
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/zx12ryder/76%20Stepside/left.jpg)

RIGHT
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/zx12ryder/76%20Stepside/right.jpg)

ONE MORE RIGHT :)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/zx12ryder/76%20Stepside/anotherright.jpg)

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: VileZambonie on June 25, 2011, 10:17:06 pm

It's called toe out on turns. If your alignment is correct and the geometry is stock you should have no problem negotiating left and right turns.

Title: Re: Steering lock to lock seems to short
Post by: 76StepSd on June 26, 2011, 01:07:41 pm

soon as I get some tags i will take it for a spin around the block or something to see how it feels.